Hi! Some of my instrument-cluster lightbulbs is gone. I know how I can change it, but what type I need? T-5, T-10 or other? It's 4 pieces. Can I mount LED/diod? Wbr Laszlo

 

batee.com is the guru of all things Corvette instrument. He has an LED kit and is very knowledgeable. You'll do well to replace the factory halogen bulbs. They tend to get too roasty.

 

An upgrade to LED's may be good and run a little cooler. However If you want stock see below.

I had put together something for another member a while back based on forum information and my experience in doing it several times.

I just looked and found an old package of lights. They are #882 bulbs. They are little 5 watt halogen bulbs. I think they are about $30 each at the dealer, but I got them at Advance Auto parts for about $8 each a couple years ago. I didn't shop around too much. They didn't have them in stock so I had to wait about 2 days. You may find them at various part stores.

The bulbs are halogens, so don't touch the bulb with your fingers. The bulbs may come with a twist-in socket base that twists into the back of the instrument cluster. To do that the instrument cluster has to come completely out.

The easier way is to pull the bulb out of the twist-in socket base from the front without taking out the whole cluster. The bulbs just pull straight out and push back in, so it is not breaking them or the socket base.

When you take the front trim plate off the instrument panel (just a few screws and then carefully manuver the plate out away from the panel) you can see there are some small snap-in covers over the place where the lights are. These covers are a bright metal and are under an inch diameter.

Once the covers are out, I use a small piece of electical shrink tubing. (Radio Shack sells a selection for a buck or two). I push the shrink tubing over the bulb. Take a small pliers like a needle nose and gently grip the outside the shrink tube on the bulb and pull the bulb out straight out without twisting. (don't grip very hard or you may break the bulb.)

Once the bulb is out, put some of the shrink tube over a new bulb and use the tubing to hold the bulb and guide the bulb into the existing twist-in socket base. The tubing will not hold the bulb well enough to push it all the way in by itself. You will need to only line it up and start it with the tubing and then push with your finger or the pliers (over the shrink tube so you don't touch it). Once it is in place, pull the tubing off. Replace the snap in cover. You can turn on the lights to make sure it lights.

Repeat the same procedure for the others. I think there are 4 bulbs.

Replace the front trim plate.

Done.

There are a lot of words, but the whole thing is only about 15 minutes and pretty easy. Just be cautious, take your time, and not break the bulbs. I have replaced 6 or 8 of them on 3 cars this way.

Good luck,

 

Hi! Thx for your input and advices! Yes I know batee: s site. Maybe can I found LEDs here in Sweden. What is the type of this bulbls, T-5, T-10 or other. WBR Laszlo

 

Unfortunately I didn't record any numbers off the Batee LED kit, but the halogen bulbs that came out are marked GE882, then it gets a little tricky. It's either a W and an inverted 2, or if you turn the bulb over it's 2M and then the GE number is upside down.

Hope that helps.

 

Hi! Thanks for your helpfulnes! Maybe I found the bulbs, but with Europeian numbers. This bulbs are 12V and 5W. The name is T10 (W /-wedge-/ 2,1x9,5D). It's cost almost no money her, about 1$/pc and I can buy them with a corner around my house. But a big thanks for you! WBR Laszlo

 

I'm glad you found what you needed. That US/Europe thing is always a challenge. I have a similar problem with my Volkswagen. Some of the special bulbs such as the ones in the instrument cluster are almost impossible to find here.